In his pre-match interview Butcher gave a update on the status of injured players - Leitch out for a further three/four weeks, McBride for another five/six and McDonald missing today's encounter with a lower back problem. O'Donnell and Burns joined the starting line up and Quinn retained his place.
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Almost all the football came from our under strength side while the visitors looked to be in disarray. They collected a couple of bookings as their frustration grew and it seemed only a matter of time before we would gain the lead our possession merited. However, we ended the half a goal down after a fluffed cross found Quinn lacking in concentration at the far post.
We started the second half in much the same way and kept the visitors hemmed in. Chances were hard to come by though and after Celtic began to reassert themselves, they began to look safe. The game appeared to be put beyond us when Thomson knocked home a penalty after Petrov was tumbled but our makeshift side dug deep and showed some steely resolve.
A lovely inside pass from Burns set up Corrigan and his well struck volley from 25 yards bounced past Marshall. Astonishingly, we completed the come back when Clarkson was bundled over in the box. Foran looked slightly nervous but he sent the 'keeper the wrong way and we were level.
Hartson defending a corner
We had a chance to take the lead but O'Donnell's shot was blocked.
Typically, we then undid our good work with a defensive slip. Beattie was played through and he had the freedom of the penalty box to shoot high into the net. We tried to get back into things but despite forcing a couple of corners we looked tired. Celtic held on and for the second time in four days we were left to shake our heads at how we managed not to take a point from a home game.
Hibs away next week...we need to start picking up points!